AkzoNobel invests EUR 140 million to upgrade chlorine production at Industriepark Höchst

AkzoNobel plans to convert its chlorine production plant at Industriepark Höchst to cutting-edge, highly effi cient membrane electrolysis technology. The new facility, which will have 50 percent more capacity, will reinforce the company’s leading position in Europe’s caustic lye and chloromethane markets. Moreover, modernizing
the electrolysis technology will reduce the total eco-footprint per ton of product by nearly 30 percent. The company is building up its chloromethane capacity, too. The AkzoNobel Industrial Chemicals business unit is investing EUR 140 million in the upgrade. “By investing heavily at our Frankfurt site – one of Europe’s leading chemical clusters – we will be better able to satisfy the strong customer demand,” said Rob Frohn, the Member of the AkzoNobel Executive Committee responsible for Specialty Chemicals. AkzoNobel acquired the Frankfurt production facility in 2009 when it took over LII Europe. The park’s new chlorine plant is due to come on stream in the fourth quarter of 2013 and will increase annual chlorine production from 165 to 250 kilotons. Chlorine is used in many areas of everyday life: as a disinfectant in drinking water or in swimming pools, in the production of plastics such as polyvinyl chloride, polyurethanes and epoxy resins, and in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.
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